Good evening CPS Community:
I hope you all were able to take advantage of the extra hour granted by the changing of the clocks and are ready for the week ahead. There will be no school for students tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5 as our staff will be engaged in a full day of professional learning. This professional learning day is scheduled in part to accommodate Election Day with many of our schools serving as polling locations.
As I stated last week to our staff, I do not believe any profession is as imperative to the preservation of democracy as is public education. This seems like an apt time to note our community’s gratitude for the work of CPS staff and Cambridge’s commitment to the continuation of this particular pillar of freedom. Given these turbulent times, Tuesday’s election is an opportunity to renew our commitment to ensuring healthy and affirming learning environments for all students.
Irrespective of electoral outcome, we know that some of our students are more acutely vulnerable to the anxiety, stress and apprehension that the contemporary political landscape can evoke. Our schools will continue to serve as sources of stability and warmth without regard to cultural backgrounds or disability and economic statuses. If fear and ignorance are the greatest threats to our way of life, safe and secure public schools that embrace the accountability that accompanies their vital role are the best hope for sustaining a free democratic society. Please do not forget to vote.
As we look ahead toward the rest of the month, please note that we will host an information session regarding the 2025-2026 Kindergarten Lottery process on Wednesday, November 13th. The lottery will open on January 2nd and close January 31st. To learn more about the process, including language testing, please attend the upcoming virtual information sessions detailed below.
Schools and district offices will be closed on Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
In this Issue:
-
What We’re Celebrating
-
Kindergarten Lottery Information Sessions
-
Apply for Our Equity Collaborative Grant By Tomorrow!
-
Need Help with Heating Bills? Apply for Fuel Assistance
-
Upcoming Events
-
District & Community Resources
-
The Bright Spot
Sincerely,
David Murphy
Interim Superintendent
What We’re Celebrating This Month
National Native American Heritage Month
The United States is a vast land of many cultures dating back thousands of years to the original inhabitants of the land, Native Americans. For example, Cambridge is home to the Massa-adchu-es-et (Massachusett), Pawtucket, and Naumkeag Peoples.
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under a variety of names (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994. During National Native American Heritage Month, we explore the heritage, culture, and experiences of Indigenous peoples both historically and in American life today.
National Career Development Month
National Career Development Month is dedicated to highlighting the importance of career development and planning and celebrating a nationwide initiative that encourages lifelong learning, skill development, and career exploration to promote personal and professional growth. Embedded in our District Plan is a commitment to provide accessible College and Career Pathways that support student success.
Need to Know News
Kindergarten Lottery Information Sessions
The Kindergarten Lottery for the 2025-2026 school year will open on January 2 and close on January 31. All registrations must be fully completed, including all language testing to determine eligibility for Program Language Bonus points. To learn more, visit our website.
Information Sessions:
Apply for Our Equity Collaborative Grant By Tomorrow!
Do you have an idea for a project to eliminate academic, racial, socio-economic, and/or other opportunity gaps, or to address inequities in Cambridge Public Schools? The Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (OEIB) invites students, educators, and caregivers to apply for a grant
!
The Equity Collaborative ($500-$5000) – Apply by November 5
Interested?
Learn more about our equity grants and access applications here.
Need Help with Heating Bills? Apply for Fuel Assistance
Colder weather means higher heating bills. The Cambridge Fuel Assistance Program is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 season. The program helps residents pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30. Learn more about how to qualify and fill out the application here.
In the District
Family Literacy Fun Day
Saturday, November 2 | 10:30AM - 1:30PM
City Hall (795 Massachusetts Avenue)
Celebrate National Family Literacy Month! This free event is for Cambridge families with kids from birth to 3rd grade. Enjoy stories, activities, free books, and food while celebrating literacy! Learn more about Family Literacy Fun Day here.
Muslim Community of Cambridge Public Schools Meet and Greet
Saturday, November 9 | 2 - 4PM
Danehy Park Picnic Tables (99 Sherman Street)
Virtual Kindergarten Lottery Information Session 1
Wednesday, November 13 | 6 - 7PM
Families with children who will be 5 years old by August 31, 2025 are encouraged to attend the upcoming Kindergarten Lottery Informations Sessions. The lottery will open for registration January 2nd.
Information Session 2
Saturday, December 7 | 10:30 - 11:30AM
In the Community
Webinar: Can We Talk? Conversations With Kids and Teens About Mental Health
Wednesday November 13 | 7 - 8PM
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology (11 Divinity Avenue)
Join Cartwheel for a webinar focused on mental health questions that kids & teens have but are often afraid to ask. Get suggestions about how caregivers can safely and appropriately respond when mental health topics come up in their homes.
Register today with Cartwheel.
District & Community Resources
CRLS Crew Team Claims State Championship Title!
Congratulations to the CRLS Crew teams on claiming the title of State Champion once again! Boys and Girls Varsity won in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th races, with Boys 1st and 2nd Novice Boats also claiming victory!
The Fall Mass Public Schools Rowing Association (MPSRA) Fall State Championship trophies and All Points trophies will be at home in our CRLS War Memorial building thanks to the crew team’s hard work and dedication.